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Friday, August 8, 2014

Prefinished Hardwood Flooring Chicago



Prefinished  Hardwood Flooring Chicago
Many consumers today purchase hardwood flooring  with factory-applied finish, commonly referred to as prefinished hardwood flooring. This type of flooring surface is growing in popularity for a number of reasons, the benefits of which need to be explored before you commit to such a purchase. Here are some of the most common benefits associated with prefinished hardwood flooring:
•    The finish is applied at the factory, by trained professionals using state of art and highly precise machinery. Factory prefinished hardwood flooring is faster and easier to install, and also holds up better over time. In a factory setting, finish coatings and stains are applied and dried in a computer controlled environment. High-performance aluminum oxide urethane coatings are then applied, and further strengthened by ultraviolet light which cures the urethane to the wood. This allows for the natural colors to be drawn out and preserved, and makes for an extremely durable finish. For onsite installations, most hardwood flooring only gets two to three coats of urethane and is air-dried.
•    Prefinished hardwood flooring is more scratch resistant and longer lasting. Thanks to precise manufacturing techniques and computer controlled application of urethane finishes, this type of flooring is up to 10 times more scratch resistant than unfinished hardwood – again, mostly due to the prefinished process at the factory.
 Prefinished hardwood flooring is simply less messy than unfinished hardwood flooring that needs to be treated and finished onsite. Just ask any homeowner or installer who’s gone through the hassle of multiple coats of urethane, spilled finish, air masks and eye goggles, and expensive-to-rent equipment and they’ll tell you exactly what it’s like. Finishing hardwood on site also has another inconvenience and possible danger: Dust, pet dander, and other debris that could get into the finish before it dries. Remember, once a fur ball or scrap of paper lands, the only way to fit it is to remove it and start over.
•    Faster and easier installation. With unfinished hardwood flooring, a homeowner or professional installer not only has to measure, cut, and secure the floor to sub flooring, but they also have to finish it. Prefinished hardwood flooring, therefore, takes much less time to install and in most cases, the most specialized equipment needed is a circular saw, air compressor, and flooring hailer.

Finally, one other benefit of prefinished hardwood flooring is it can be stripped and refinished over time, unlike carpeting, stone or ceramic tiles, or even laminating flooring .This makes it extremely attractive for homeowners and builders.
We carry major brands in our store on 3100 N Elston Street in Chicago. Stop by in our store today and choose the floors of your dreams.
Visit our website at www.abhardwood.com



Hardwood Floors Chicago



Hardwood Floors Chicago
Most of people seem to be in love with hardwood floors .There’s a certain pride factor to having it installed in a single room or throughout an entire home. It exudes a sturdy, well-built residence designed to stand the test of time and.
But what are the advantages of hardwood flooring over other floor coverings? Over time, vinyl flooring will dry, roll up at corners or edges, and have a propensity to crack. Carpet, while it may feel better on bare feet, has the disadvantage of its color fading over time; it also is susceptible to staining and, unfortunately, has a way of soaking up moisture and retaining odors – particularly if a pet has an accident. Hardwood flooring, on the other hand, is extremely durable, repels moisture, and is an ideal floor covering for people with allergies because it will not hide dust or pet dander. There are other advantages, too:
•    Safety and Health: Hardwood flooring is the near perfect foil for dust, pet danger, and other particulate matter, ensuring a safe and healthier environment, especially for those suffering from allergies. While hardwood flooring may be more expensive than carpeting, vinyl, or other floor coverings, it can be refinished multiple times – sometimes lasting for more than 100 years.
•    Less Maintenance: Carpeting needs constant upkeep. It gets dirty and needs regular vacuuming – sometimes even professional cleaning. Hardwood flooring, by comparison, benefits from a wet mop and floor polish a handful of times each year.



•    Sustainability: Because wood is a naturally occurring source that can be re-forested, hardwood flooring is an ideal ecological choice for anyone concerned about protecting the environment. Certain types of fast-growing hardwood flooring materials, such as bamboo – which is actually grass – make this a reasonable possibility.
•    Durability: The strength and durability of quality hardwood flooring can’t be stressed enough. While a hardwood surface can be dented, scratched, or gouged, repairing or refinishing it is normally a matter of smoothing out the damaged area, filling it, and then smoothing and finishing it with urethane or other type of finish. But beyond that, the choices in hardwood flooring are immense. American Cherry, for instance, is a good hardwood flooring option and easy to work with. Maple is harder than Oak and has a naturally abrasion resistant surface. It’s also a nostalgic, “throw back” choice as it was a favored floor covering choice by early American settlers.
If you are still in doubt and don’t know which type of floors you need, you can always stop by in our store on 3100 N Elston in Chicago and choose the floors of your dreams.